NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A small puppy was a man's shooting target after a late night of partying.

Images: Puppy Survives Shooting By Owner

Animal control officers said the owner was partying, came back to his east Nashville home and started shooting at the pit bull-mix while his kids were in the house.

The dog called, Midnight, was shot below her ear, and the bullet came out under her chin.

"She's lucky it didn't hit any major bones or anything. It hit an artery, and we did have a tough time getting it to stop bleeding. Now she's doing just fine. She's on pain meds and antibiotics," said Billy Biggs of Metro Animal Control.

The dog's owner, William Taylor, has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty and reckless endangerment.

Midnight will stay at animal control until the case is over.